Researchers map the ‘three personalities’ living in the U.S.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Researchers have developed a new map which pinpoints personality traits by region. In the study, ‘Divided We Stand,’ it seems there are three personality traits found within the country, separated by regions.

The first cluster described as ‘friendly and conventional’ was made up of states in Middle America. Researchers there found people were agreeable, extroverted, and low in openness and neuroticism. According to Theatlantic.com, these folks were predominately white, with low levels of education, wealth, social tolerance yet were more religious and politically conservative.

The West Coast made up the second cluster, described as ‘relaxed and creative.’ People here weren’t as agreeable or extroverted yet lived culturally diverse or alternative lifestyles. They were described in ‘the Atlantic’ as being richer and more educated. Study authors say residents in the second cluster value tolerance, individualism and happiness.

Finally the third cluster was made up of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. They were referred to as the ‘temperamental and uninhibited.’ Researchers called them ‘reserved, aloof, impulsive and irritable,’ with people described as introverted, disagreeable and high in neuroticism.

The data collected came from more than 1.5 million people over the span of 12 years. These people self-reported on the widely known Personality Scale to measure extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to experience. People in Alaska, Hawaii and the District of Columbia were not included.